Well, at 11:30 a.m. or so on the morning of July 8th, 1998, my family and I set out for Tulsa, America. On the way we stopped at various places including Pizza Hut and Philips 66 where we grabbed a Tulsa World newspaper which just "happened" to have Hanson on the front page.
As we entered Tulsa we realized that my aunt and uncle would both still be at work and we didn't have a key to their house (this was around 5:30 if I am correct, maybe earlier). So we decided that we probably ought to stop at their office and pick up a key. It was also decided that just my sister and I would go in, considering that we had been there many times and knew where to go.
As we walked in their office (which is on the second floor at the end of the hall) we were greeted by....umm, I'm not sure who, but whoever it was told us to go on back and that my aunt had been expecting us. So, we continued back to find that they were getting ready to leave, and we talked for a moment (after I took a pit-stop in the bathroom).
It was then that we were blessed with the priviledge of meeting Nancy Hanson Fisk, the aunt of a wonderful band. (who is that band?? Hmm, I can't seem to remember...) So, we met her and my aunt and uncle's many other assistants (they are both orthodontsists) which included Cassie, Kelly (I think), Catherine (whom we already knew), and possibly a few others. Then the whole gang (assistants and all ) walked out of the office.
We were then blessed with meeting (WOW!!) that certain band's (the one we mentioned above's) Grandma Bea, and a few cousins, who's names I can't remember at this time.
Now, as the Hanson family reunited we (my aunt, uncle, sister, and I) caught the next elevator and rode down to ground level. We then walked outside into the hot, humid Tulsa air and to our various vehicles (of course, we couldn't go to their house until my father jabbered for about 15 minutes) and finally left.
Ok, here's where we went to the Cooper household, changed clothes or whatever and got ready for (ta da!) the ever-anticipated Hanson Concert. We then discussed the varios places that we could eat and ended up deciding on some hamburger joint (I can't remember it's name, for by this time I was developing quite a headache/stomachache and was a little ditzing from that and the upcoming event).
After we ate and, of course, used the resturants clean and tidy restrooms, we headed for...(drum roll, please, Zac) The Mabee Center! (This was after the sickening discovery that we could NOT take in cameras...of ALL the NERVE!!) On the way we spotted several objects in which are meant to ride from place-to-place in with the following written on them: "Hanson Concert or Bust!," "Hanson is #1!," "We Love Hanson," and "Honk if you think Hanson is #1!" We then turned into the Mabee Center parking lot and as we looked at it, we noticed a kite that said "Hanson" flying above the building. We then took pictures of the building (hey, if we can't take cameras inside, we can at least take pictures of the outside...). After this escapade we found our way to "The Line" (it wasn't hard, for this line was, uuh, long...). Our lives were saved by "Lisa" for she knew my aunt and let us get in line with her and her crew. (Thank You Lisa)
As we stood in line, I, being the person that I am, checked out the variety of people around us. There was a mother with a video camera walking around asking if there was anyone "Not from Oklahoma" here. There were many mothers, not so many fathers, quite a few boys (I was pleasantly surprised), and a lot of kids under the age of 10. (A LOT)
We were then informed that there was a news crew up "In that helicopter over there" and every once in awhile a guy would hang out the door with a camera and we were supposed to scream and wave, how exciting, but of course, we all did.
We finally got inside the building where security gaurds were taking away people's signs and (?) bottled water (I guess you had to buy it there or something...). We then rode up an escalator. Once at the top we were informed "Not to stand at the top of the escalator", but to "Move on to one of the lines" Unfortunately, we chose the longer line (it looked shorter!!). We then entered a door where a lady took our tickets and you could buy programs for (couhg, cough) fifteen dollars. I, by then, needed to use the restroom again, and we finally found one, but, *sigh* we also found quite a line...oh well, I needed to go. We then, after the bathroom, stopped to look at T-shirts, my sister and I both picked one and they were (cough, cough again) twenty-five dollars. Oh well, it said Albertane Tour on the back, now that was worth the $25. hehe.
At this point we split up, my aunt, uncle, sister, and I went one way, my parents the other. Our seats were (this is what they said on the ticket, they really weren't as close as they sound) Section G, Row 16, Seats 1,2,3, and 4. I took 4.
I then found myself seated a couple of seats down from a very nice girl, who had just turned 13 and lived in Tulsa. We chatted for awhile about the music they were playing (oldies) and about the Famous Silly String. I would say her name, but I don't recall her saying what it was, I know I told her mine and if she told me hers, well, then I have a horrible memory. We chatted until her sister and friend returned from the bathroom (a place I knew quite well by now). Her friend and sister then realized that they had left something in the bathroom, so they went to get it and we continued our chat until they returned.
My sister, meanwhile, was making friends with the 3 girls seated behind her. They were loud and continually insisted on screaming "We Love You Zac!!" My sister joined in quite jubilantly.
We were then graced with the presence of "the big, bald guy" by the curtain. Oh, excuse me, I mean, Jason Browning, the wonderful Hanson body-gaurd.
And finally Admiral Twin graced us with their presence on stage. They played for about one hour with Jarrod Gollihare informing us before a song that they were "Admiral Twin" and after that song that they were "still Admiral Twin" I, personally, found this humorous.
After they got done, a man came one stage and informed us that they were "Going to take a 30 minute break" This was blown away by thousands of groans. But, alas, there WAS a 30 minute break.
During this time the crowd entertained itself with hitting beach balls around, screaming anytime something moved behind the curtain, chanting "Hanson, Hanson," and doing "The Wave."
My aunt, uncle, sister, and I went over to talk to the "Hanson Aunt" which was quite kool.
We then went back to our seats while my uncle went to get some beverages. I then talked to that very nice girl seated a few seats down from me again.
Then we start hearing Isaac's giutar from behind the curtain and the lights start to dim (ooh, dramatic). And as the curtain goes up we find ourselves listening to (wow....) Hanson playing "Gimme Some Lovin'"
Ok, I'm going to take some time out to describe "The Outfits"
Isaac was wearing a black T-shirt, black pants, and black and white shoes (they were very nifty). Over this black T-shirt he had a lime green shiny shirt whoch was later replaced by a brown shirt (blah.). As I recall, I do believe that he had his hair in a ponytail (he likes those ponytails...he wears them quite often...).
Taylor was wearing black pants, black shoes, a white T-shirt (that really tight one...). Over his T-shirt he was wearing a grey long-sleeved piece of material with black swirls on it, I personally, liked it. His hair was, I believe, down.
Now, on to "The Drummer, Zachary Hanson." Well, since he was sitting behind his drums for most of the concert, I have no idea what his shoes looked like, I think he had on black pants and I know he had on a white T-shirt with black rings around the neck and sleeves, if I am correct, his hair was also left down.
I must also say that there were some annoying photographers in their faces at all times. These photographers had tried to disgiuse themselves by wearing black, but no such luck, we all saw them. And there was also some1 behind them for the entire concert recording it. The reason I know this is because of the annoying flashing red light on the video camera.
Ok, on to the concert. I am sorry to say that I don't remember the exact order of the songs. I think I remember the first few though. "Gimme Some Lovin'," "Thinking of You," "Where's The Love?," and "Weird." That could be way off. Ok, since I don't know the order, I will tell you what songs they played: "Thinking of You," "MMMBop," (well duh) "Weird," "Speechless," "Where's The Love," "I Will Come To You," "A Minute Without You," "Madeline (acoustic)," "With You In Your Dreams," "Man From Milwaukee," "River," "Soldier," "Stories (acoustic)," "Sometimes (acoustic)," "Ever Lonely (from Boomerang, I think)" and some others from Boomerang. Then as an oncore they played "Look At You" (call me crazy, but I like that song....) and "Summertime Blues" which involved crowd participation. (We had to say "There ain't no cure for the summertime blues").
I noticed Isaac giving head banging a quite impressive try. It was quite a change from his normal "legs together, bounce up and down" appraoch to singing. He also played a song all by his lonesome on the keyboard and Taylor took over Zac's drumming while Zac ran down in the corwd. (I thought I was going to be deaf after that.)
Than as they were getting ready to go off stage Taylor walked over to one side of the stage only to be bombarded by "The Famous Silly String." Smart move, Tay. Now, I found this quite neat, Zac's drumsticks glowed!! WOW!!! Let's see...Isaac and Taylor also threw water on the first few rows. Can we say "Please stop screaming?? It's just water, I'd hate to see you people at the beach..."
Ok, that was the "Hanson Concert." But, alas, I am not done! The next morning I went to my aunt's office to get my braces tightened (oh what a joy) and Nancy was telling us that after the concert Zac ran straight for the food. (Hmm, I can see him doing that...) and Taylor said that "It was amazing playing here." Cuz, you see, there were only 8,000 (only) people at this specific concert and they are used to playing to up to 15,000 people.
And I also met Pam, Isaac's dentist's ex-assistant. Bet you can't say that five times fast.
Ok, That is my experience at the Hanson Concert in Tulsa, America. What a joy.
